Keel-block



E. H. 'THOMPSON.

KEEL BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5. I9l8.

' 1,320,945. Patented N 4, 1919.

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KEEL-BLOCK,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

Application filed December 5, 1918. Serial No. 265,416.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER H. THoMrsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Manitowoc, in the county of Manitowoc and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and" useful Improvements in Keel- Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in keel blocks commonly used in ship building and repairing operations and it is the principal object'of the invention to provide a keel block which can be quickly and effectually engaged under the keel of a vessel whereby to properly support thesame and yet, when desired, can be easily disassembled.

Another and equally important object of the invention is to provide a keel block employing a novel form of base piece which can be moved into engagement with the cooperating parts of the block to cause positive engagement between the same and the keel of a vessel and which can be readily removed in the disassembling of the block.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The improvements in the details and arrangement of parts of the device will be brought out more in detail in the description to follow, which for a clear understanding of the invention should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for the purposes of illustration.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectlon through the improved keel block,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, and

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the novel form of base piece employed in connection with the block.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, in connection with which like reference characters will designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 and 2 represent the spacing elements or pieces of the block, said elements being tapered or wedge shape in transverse cross section as clearly shown in the Fig. 1 and being adapted to receive connecting bolts 3 therethrough onto which locking nuts 4 are turned, suitable forms of washers 5 or other bearing elements being arranged between the heads of the bolts and the adjacent side of the spacing piece 1 and between the locking nuts t and the adjacent side of the spac in g piece 2. The under sides or faces of the spacing pieces 1 and 2 form a substantially inverted V-shaped pocket and are inclined longitudinally of themselves whereby to receive a base piece 6 thereunder, said base piece being transversely inclined in opposite directions to its plane and also inclined longitudinally of itself as indicated by the reference character 7, particularly in the Fig. 3. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the base piece 7 is of a length greater than the length of the cooperating parts of the keel block in order that the same can be adjusted with relation to its inclined upper surface to effect positive engagement between the block in its entirety and the adjacent portion of the keel of the vessel. In this connection, it will be noted that the inclined lower faces of the spacing pieces 1 and 2 correspond with the inclined portions of the upper face of the base pieee6.

A rider section 8 is provided and has its lower portion formed substantially V- shaped in cross section whereby to permit snug arrangement of the same in the pocket tween the same and the keel of the vessel which I have shown in dotted 'lines in Fig. 1 and indicated by the reference letter 70. With the parts of the keel block so engaged with the keel of the vessel, the locking nuts at are tightened on their respective bolts 3 thereby positively connecting the spacing elements 1 and in consequence, locking the keel block in its entirety with relation to the keel 7c and thereby properly supporting the same. To disassemble the keel block it is only necessary to loosen the locking nuts 4: with respect to the various bolts 3 so that the base piece 6 can be driven or slid in a direction to permit the lowering of the rider section 8 with respect to the keel k. At this time, if necessary, the block can be entirely disassembled by removing the connecting bolts 3.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification and such modification as is Within the scope of my claims, I consider Within the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A keel block comprising spacing pieces tapered toward each other and having their under sides inclined longitudinally, a rider section engaged with the upper sides of the spacing pieces, and a base piece having the upper face thereof reversely beveled from its center in opposite directions and also inclined longitudinally to correspond with the longitudinally inclined under sides of said spacing pieces.

2. A keel block comprising spacing pieces tapered toward each other and having their under sides inclined longitudinally a rider section engaged with the upper sides of the spacing pieces, and a base piece formed of a greater length than the side pieces and rider section and having its upper face formed to permit flush engagement between the same and the tapered inclined under sides of the spacing sections and also inclined longitudinally of itself to correspond to the longitudinally inclined under sides of said spacing pieces.

3. A keel block comprising laterally tapered' spacing pieces having their under sides inclined) longitudinally, a rider section formed With a substantially V-shaped lower portion movably engaged With the upper sides of said spacing pieces, and a base piece having a substantially V-shaped upper portion engageable With the laterally tapered inclined lower faces of the spacing pieces and, also inclined longitudinally to correspond With the longitudinal inclining of the under sides of the spacing pieces.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature hereto.

ELMER I-I. THOMPSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

